Group Lists Ill. Clergy Ready to Perform Gay Marriages

An advocacy group has put together a list of Illinois religious clergy who are ready to perform same-sex marriages.

A state law legalizing same-sex marriage takes effect June 1. However, some counties are already issuing marriage licenses after a federal judge ruled Illinois' original ban was unconstitutional.

The rights group Equality Illinois said Thursday it has posted a pamphlet on its website listing Christian, Jewish, Muslim religious leaders ready to officiate same-sex weddings.

The group's CEO is Bernard Cherkasov. He says "many couples who have waited - in some cases for decades - to have their love recognized by the state also want to have their marriage vows sanctified in a religious setting."

The new law does not require clergy members to officiate same-sex marriages.

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While many Illinois counties are waiting until the state’s new same-sex marriage becomes law in June and others are waiting for legal advice, the list of counties that will start issuing the licenses immediately is growing.